Unlocking Eleven’s Hidden Clue: What Did We Miss Before Stranger Things Final Season?

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Ever since “Stranger Things” debuted on Netflix in 2016, the entertainment world hasn’t been the same. The anticipation for the fifth and final season has felt like an eternity, especially considering that it’s been nearly three years since Season 4, Volume 2 ended in July 2022. Honestly, I had grown rather accustomed to the wait after the Duffer Brothers clarified their promise of eight “blockbuster movies” for Season 5. However, a recent update has reignited my excitement for more episodes.

The realization came when I discovered that May 27 marked the third anniversary since Netflix debuted Stranger Things Season 4, Vol. 1. It felt like only yesterday when I interacted with Millie Bobby Brown and other cast members discussing the gap in the fourth season. As we haven’t received a definite release date on the TV schedule for 2025 or even a sneak peek trailer, this milestone made me reminisce about earlier hints. There might have been one clue that I missed initially.

Step right up, fellow film enthusiasts! Let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and revisit the captivating series “Stranger Things.” Today, we delve deeper into the intriguing character of Eleven. You might want to brace yourselves as I share an insight that may have been underappreciated in my initial analysis.

In this journey, we’ll explore a clue about Eleven that carries more weight than I previously gave it credit for. So, buckle up, and let us unravel the enigma that is El!

Eleven Is Wanted By Hawkins P.D…. At Least

This clue was shared on January 30, 2025, and Danielle Bruncati from TopMob wrote about its potential meaning at the time. However, I wasn’t fully engrossed in the world of ‘Stranger Things’ then due to the wait, so I didn’t give it the focus it might have required. Now, I’m revisiting it. The clue was presented as a “MISSING” poster for Jane Hopper, or Eleven, which was circulated on social media. Here it is:

Instead of heavily relying on the specific details about Jane Hopper or her attire, it’s more important to focus on the significant reward of $3000 offered for any tips leading to the discovery of either Jane herself or information about her whereabouts. Given the devastation in Hawkins following the earthquake during Season 5, it seems unusual that such a substantial amount of money would be available for numerous leads. I suppose there might not be much financial leeway left in the town as it rebuilds.

If you’re still skeptical about my claims, let’s examine some figures! To compensate for what I might have missed earlier this year, I decided to investigate. I used the Inflation Calculator provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s website. As of now, $3000 in October 1987 is equivalent to approximately $8,346.79 in April 2025 (with October 1987 being an approximation based on the information that Season 5 takes place during that fall).

The title “Who’s truly seeking Jane Hopper?” suggests that the source of the over $8.3k offer is not just from Hawkins Police Department, but possibly from a higher authority. Keep in mind, this is the world of Stranger Things we’re discussing – a universe where secrets surrounding Hawkins Lab and the capture of Eleven were major mysteries in the early seasons.

However, the poster offers more than just a bounty for finding Jane Hopper, whether she’s living or deceased; it also hints at additional information.

Hawkins P.D. Has A Voicemail

Luckily, Netflix didn’t disable the voicemail function of the Instagram post between late January and late May, because doing my due diligence of course meant that I had to call the number listed in the photo. For whatever it’s worth (if anything), my iPhone lists the number as going to Montpelier, Indiana. This is the message:

Dear Resident,

We appreciate your reaching out to the Hawkins Police Department. Due to the powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred recently, Hawkins has been put under lockdown for everyone’s safety. The Hawkins Emergency Task Force is collaborating closely with our police department to locate missing individuals, and we are particularly focused on finding JANE HOPPER. We kindly ask you, as valued members of the Hawkins community, to join us in this effort to help find her.

Stay safe!

Although the speaker isn’t clearly identified in the recording, I am quite certain that it isn’t either Callahan or Powell who is speaking. Ordinarily, Mr. Wheeler and perhaps even Mrs. Wheeler might show interest when they hear about being “responsible citizens of Hawkins.” However, given the extraordinary circumstances unfolding in their town before Season 5, I would say that such a situation hardly qualifies as normal.

What captures my attention in the message is that there’s no explanation as to why Jane Hopper seems to be a top concern for Hawkins Police Department. It seems plausible that they might be seeking her to ensure her safety, but the sincerity of their intentions remains questionable. On a personal note, I’m curious about this Emergency Task Force mentioned in the message, as it appears to be distinct from the regular police department operations.

Is there any substantial implication regarding Season 5 that we should be aware of? Could it be possible, even, that the characters Powell and Callahan, whom I’ve always enjoyed since their interaction with Troy over Eleven’s arm-breaking incident in Season 1, might make a comeback? Should I have perhaps held off on commenting about Season 5 on Instagram back in January and instead waited for Netflix to announce any potential news about the upcoming season as summer approaches?

After finding out that my wild guess regarding the significance of Lucas’ watch in a backstage picture, suggesting a time leap to 1989, proved incorrect, I find myself approaching new theories with a measured optimism these days.

What’s Next For Season 5?

Surprisingly, the Instagram post from January about the search for Jane Hopper marked the final Season 5 update on the Stranger Things account up until May 30, 2025. Since then, all posts have centered around the Stranger Things: The First Shadow Broadway play. However, the show’s X account (previously Twitter) hinted that they might be moving towards TUDUM, which could potentially mean an eagerly anticipated Season 5 update instead of further news about the stage production.

Should you’re eager and optimistic enough, make sure to catch TUDUM on May 31 at 8 p.m. ET, as it will be streaming live for anyone with a Netflix subscription. You might even want to revisit the entirety of Stranger Things seasons on Netflix before Season 5 arrives, considering it’s been three years since we last saw season 4!

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2025-05-31 12:38